Farmers and Settlers Association

The interventions must be made in order for PNG to meet the Government’s focus on commercializing agriculture under the Medium Term Development Plan 4 and the National Agriculture Strategic Plan 2034 to contribute K30 billion to GDP and create 2 million jobs by 2030.

President Wilson Thompson said despite the increasing population, skills and knowledge in PNG, the agriculture and livestock sector is under threat from declining production.

“The industry agencies are operating without boards, which could be a factor in the lack of focus and governance issues,” says the association’s president, Wilson Orlegge Thompson.

“We need to get Spice and Livestock and KIK (Kokonas Industri Koporisin) boards in place. Also, we must be conscious of governance issues of boards like non-preparation of annual financial and operations report to the Auditor General and to Parliament.”

The Farmers and Settlers Association President Wilson Thompson is concerned that the Government has given into the pressure from various business houses and commentators who did not understand the reasons for the ban.

“The issues of policy, transport, markets, quality, sufficient quantity and reliable supply have been here in PNG some 30 years ago and the same reasons continue to be peddled by the proponents against the ban.